My New Hero

Just an ordinary guy…with an extraordinary story.

You can spend years with someone and never really know him. But sometimes you can spend just a few days or even hours with someone and become closer than brothers. Jeff Katz proved that.

We shared just one phenomenal, emotional, action-packed experience together but the bond that was formed was far stronger than either one of us could have ever imagined. Despite my many travels, I had never before met someone who was suffering from a terminal illness while simultaneously making everyone else around him so very comfortable, and yes, even inspired.

In the article that you are about to read, which I wrote after the remarkable journey that we shared, I called Jeff, "My new hero." Terminology like that is reserved for a select few. But Jeff Katz earned that moniker. He earned it with every shortened breath he took and with every soul he touched. He earned it by never ever losing hope and by meriting the unremitting love, dedication, and emotional strength of his valiant life partner, Maureen.

And until the day he died, just a few weeks ago, he valued every second of life and kept teaching lessons to anyone fortunate enough to grace his angelic presence.

We miss Jeff already, but his smile, his courage, and his unique contributions will be with us forever.

-Yaakov Salomon

“So let’s go around the room and speak about why we came on this trip to Israel.”

My words seemed innocent enough. As host of this first-ever Mission to Israel for readers of aish.com, I thought the opening dinner of our seven day journey would be the perfect place for the forty some participants to describe their motivation for signing up. So, I asked. They answered.

“We wanted more than just a tour. We wanted to learn the meaning behind everything we were seeing,” said one couple from Illinois.

“We’ve been avid fans of aish.com for years. We wanted to meet the faces behind the words,” declared another couple from California.

The responses were gratifying. It was the next answer that floored me and everyone else in the room.

“Well, Maureen and I have been to Israel many times before,” said Jeff, rising from his chair slowly.

Then he paused for just a moment. I didn’t know why. I thought I detected some discomfort, but I wasn’t sure. He cleared his throat and continued.

"I didn’t want to miss this trip. It might be my last.”

“But I have stage 4 kidney cancer. I am currently undergoing aggressive treatment. I have no idea if I will ever be able to come back again. I just didn’t want to miss this trip. It might be my last.”

The silence was palpable. The candor was astounding. I floundered for words.

“Well…er…I…er…very much appreciate…er…recognize how..er…”

I have no idea what I said at that point. But I do remember being somewhat stunned. To be so open, in a group of strangers, was truly remarkable. He looked pretty healthy. He sounded fine. But Maureen was visibly tearful.

Decision to Fight

Jeff Katz, the youngest of four, was born in Ottawa – 67 years ago. His parents emigrated there from Mezritch, Poland in 1923. For nearly thirty years, working for the Canadian government as an executive human resources manager, he recruited, interviewed, scrutinized and hired top management personnel, senior executives, and assistant deputy ministers.

“It was stressful. It was demanding. I had to perfect the art of being diplomatic without ever compromising my principles and beliefs,” he said.

It was in 1964 when Jeff first met Maureen.

“On a windy day, lots of folks went to the reservoir to fly kites. She was just sixteen at the time, but I was smitten.”

But life, with all its bends and twirls, creases and crinkles, decided that the union would have to wait. They were married eight years later. Jodie came in 1975 and Eli in ‘80. The cancer came in 1998.

“That’s when I had the radical nephrectomy. They removed my left kidney, the ureter, and surrounding tissues and lymph nodes. For five years I was symptom free. I thought my troubles were over. I was wrong.”

The years 2003 – 2006 were dominated by on-again off-again vigorous coughing. The source was unclear, but the worry was constant. On February 5, 2007 the diagnosis was confirmed. He had just returned from the funeral of Maureen’s father in Toronto.

“They told me that I had renal cell carcinoma which had metastasized to my lungs and that my lungs and lymph nodes were contaminated with cancer. I had about six months left. They advised me to get my affairs in order. But I decided to fight.”

And fight he did. Always a fitness fanatic, Jeff, despite his small frame, ramped up his exercise regimen. He began jogging 2 – 3 hours a day, lifting weights, and incorporating the Pilates repertoire into his daily routine. Maureen manned the nutrition portion of this exacting, full-scale war on this brutal invader, by pumping Jeff up with healthy fish dishes and Omega 3’s.

Jeff’s resolve only increased. He entered a protocol to get approved to take the highly experimental Interleukin-2. Less than 5% of candidates are deemed fit enough to withstand the ravages that accompany this treatment. Jeff was approved. Hopes rose. But the side effects were virulent. After three cycles, he was back at square one…with the clock ticking.

Then Jeff began a new trial, taking sunitinib malate to try to manage his cancer. It was new. It was promising. It was effective for 15 months. But it was disappointing.

When it failed, Jeff’s resolve only increased.

Something called nexavar was the next line of artillery, but after only one three months cycle the tumors were still growing. Those of lesser fortitude would have folded their tent, but Jeff – with Maureen cheering him on – would not hear of it.

“The FDA and Health Canada had just approved Afinitor, a new drug from Novartis, which could stabilize the cancer, albeit not reduce the tumors. Dr. Francois Patenaude, a world class oncologist and a first class mentsch, advised me to go for it. I did.”

Before long Jeff could be seen and heard on Canadian TV and radio as a spokesman for Novartis, pitching Afinitor and singing its praises. Meanwhile he is holding his own, and holding his breath.

Trailblazing

Most of these details were unbeknownst to me until after the trip was completed. During the mission, all I knew was that he was a lot sicker than he looked. What I didn’t know was that he was also a lot stronger than he looked. I found that out on Day 4.

The sun rose at 5:52 A.M. that brilliant Thursday morning. Our goal, Masada - the historical landmark that stood tall as a 2000 year legacy of Jewish devotion and sacrifice.

The group boarded the bus in Jerusalem and heard the stirring history of Masada, as told by our exceptional guide, historian Ken Spiro. Jeff and Maureen sat near the center. Somehow, they were always in the middle of everything the group did. No matter where we went, no one had to search far for Maureen’s infectious smile or for a snappy, offbeat one-liner from Jeff.

By the time we arrived and got our tickets it was closer to 11:00 A.M. than ten. The scorching Israeli heat was already beating down with ferocious intensity. It seems someone forgot to inform the sun that it was October, not July.

Ken commanded all of us to purchase at least one giant size water bottle and strongly advised use of the cable car to reach the mountain summit.

“You can walk up the snake path, if you like, but most hikers do that at dawn, before the temperature becomes unbearable.”

Most of the group nodded in agreement and began assembling near the trolley line. But several would-be trailblazers, my wife and I among them, milled about and contemplated the one hour trek up the 1,400-foot cliff at a 75-degree angle. It sounded like a legitimate and formidable challenge; one that would have made perfect sense about 25 years ago. And that’s probably why we bought in.

In a few short minutes we gathered at the path’s starting point and immediately noted the searing rays that pointed their influence in our immediate orbit. We hadn’t even begun, but the sweat was already streaming down our backs. It was then that I first noticed Jeff. He was wearing shorts, a huge-brimmed hat and was applying what must have been 500+spf sun block.

What is he doing here? I wondered. Is he really walking up this mountain? Is he serious?

But before I could say, “Not so fast, kimosabi,” he was in the lead. Like a man on a mission (he was), he bounded up those ancient steps in full and proud stride. It didn’t take long for the few of us to split. Jeff remained near the front-runners. He was out of our sight range in a flash. Temmy and I, and one or two others, brought up the rear.

About half way up, one of our fellow stragglers became seriously faint. The heat was nearly unendurable. She experienced shortness of breath and had to stop frequently. Water, rest, reassurance, and shade were proving less than effective and we telephoned to Ken on the peak that we clearly needed a medic – fast.

Seconds later, on the hilltop, the news began to circulate. One of the climbers was in trouble. A medic was being dispatched. Maureen, already nervous about Jeff’s choice, asked someone if the victim might, perchance, be Jeff. Mistakenly, she was told it was. She knew that patients on cancer drugs and powerful sunrays are not a good partnership. Quietly, she wondered if she would ever see him again.

Meanwhile, the first of the climbers reached the top. Jeff was not among them. Maureen waited…and prayed. Jeff was getting very close, but the last 10-15 minutes were really grueling for him.

The medic did finally reach us and cared for the younger woman. In good hands, she pleaded with us to wait with her no longer. We continued our ascent. When we finally huffed and puffed our way onto the Masada pinnacle, we saw Jeff and Maureen – relieved and reunited. He had made it. He climbed that mountain.

Love of Life

Jeff Katz is a simple man. But Jeff Katz is a remarkable man.

When I asked what compelled him to climb Masada, he told me, “I had to feel that I was ABLE to do something like that. I just HAD to do it. With every step I took, I said another prayer.”

How does he do it? How does Jeff Katz garner the strength, the clarity, the tenacity to push life to its limits? Why do so many of us roll over and surrender when faced with adversity, while the Jeff Katz’s of the world seem to thrive?

The answer is as simple as you imagine it not to be.

Jeff loved life a long time before he got sick.

He didn’t become a hero when terminal illness broke down his front door. He was ready for it. He loved life a long time before he got sick. He embraced every single day as a personal invitation to a royal banquet. He experienced every interaction as an opportunity to learn, to perfect – to grow, to reflect. Simply put, when Jeff was faced with a windy day, he grabbed his kite and went to the reservoir.

Jeff Katz is like the king who was known to get very little sleep. One day someone asked him why. The monarch answered, “When I sleep I’m really not a king. That’s why I sleep so little.” The more you love something, the less willing you are to do without it.

Jeff didn’t need to try every single experimental medication available to him. He didn’t need to walk 2-3 hours every day. He didn’t need to come to Israel again and he didn’t need to climb Masada. And he certainly didn’t need to tell 40 strangers about his very personal struggle with terminal illness. But when you love life the way he does, then you live life with a certain enthusiasm that supersedes any and every obstacle that comes your way.

The trip ended and we said our tearful goodbyes. We went back to Brooklyn. Jeff and Maureen are back in Ottawa.

Jeff spends his days doing ten sets of 100 pushups a day, tread-milling, volunteering for the Hebrew Free Loan Society and the synagogue library, calling in his pro-Israel opinions to the local talk radio station, eating his Omega 3’s, swallowing his afinitor, taking his CAT scans, studying Torah, and loving Maureen and the kids.

Related Articles:

About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.

Visitor Comments: 47

(47)
Anonymous,
December 25, 2014 2:21 PM

Thank you for this unexpected blessing

Dear Rabbi Solomon,On this X-mas day, a day we personally do not "celebrate" but cannot help but be swept up in the festivities, it was like a sign from above receiving an email from my mother about the affinity you held for my father and the wonderful trip you took together. Now a year and a bit since he has passed the tough times seem a distant memory and the agony of missing my dad and calling him on any given day, much less a day like today where everyone is celebrating together with family, is painful for sure. I believe my father is always watching over me and while he was human and fallible in so many ways, he was the most kind and honourable man I have ever known. I am trying fervently to impart that into my two sons, Oliver, now 5 and Leo, just turned 1 who shares my father's namesake as a constant reminder.I am not sure if I ever shared with you the eulogy I wrote for him and delivered in 2013; my father, an ever-meticulous man, was privy to hear it months before he passed as I knew he would want to know what was to be said of him. If you would like me to share it with you, I would be happy to. Meanwhile, regardless of the holiday celebrated today, we should continue to always celebrate love and life and those who made us laugh, and of course inspire us for all time.Wishing you a wonderful 2015.All the best,Jodie Katzjodiekatz@hotmail.com

(46)
bracha,
November 18, 2013 10:05 PM

this article made me cry.

so inspired. I just said a prayer that Hashem should help me to be more like Jeff. so many days I forget to love life and to live it to its fullest and this was the perfect reminder. Thank you so much for sharing

(45)
Barbara Crane,
November 18, 2013 2:34 PM

Such an honor to have known Jeff

This article brought back so many memories of the remarkable aish.com trip to Israel that my husband Hal and I took. Of course, meeting Jeff and Maureen Katz was a highlight. They were both so inspiring and warm. By the time the trip was over we had established a close friendship with the Katzes. We mourn the loss of Jeff and we pray that Maureen and the rest of his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

(44)
Anonymous,
November 17, 2013 10:47 PM

Knowing Maureen and Jeff through the years has been so good

May you rest in peace my Dear Friend,and Maureen my deepest condolences to you and your Beautiful Family.I am so honored to have you both in my life. Jeff will stay in my heart for ever. An amazing couple and family. Whom I respect and Love so very much. God Bless Maureen and Family.

(43)
esther,
November 17, 2013 10:09 PM

So sorry....

To Maureen and family: May you be comforted among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalaim. May Jeff-Yosef Chaim be a melitz yosher to your family and the Jewish nation.

(42)
Dena,
November 17, 2013 9:15 PM

Thanks!

Thank you for a peek into the life of a special and inspiring person. Stories like this give us something to aspire to. May Jeff's memory be for a blessing.

(41)
Robin meyerson,
November 17, 2013 8:26 PM

Live every day as if its your last

You are such an inspiration! All of life's details are up to Hashem but we have to do our efforts- and you are an example of this! Three years ago I decided to focus more inwardly on living like each day was my last since I have seen so many friends and relatives die of cancer and heart disease. I do my best to live a Torah life and learn as much as possible. I exercise daily, stay as positive as i can and stay away from negative people and eat no meat or dairy since many studies indicate their health risks. Thank you so much for your honesty and openness - may you have a speedy recovery.

(40)
Ed Fleischman,
January 17, 2011 2:31 AM

I can only admire his courage and dedication.

My wife Eileen and I had the pleasure of accompanying Jeff and Maureen on this First Aish mission. We were sitting at the same table with them when Rabbi Solomon went around the room, table by table, as most of us described their motivation for signing up for this trip.
As fate would have it, our table went last, and Jeff and Maurine were the last to speak. You could hear a pin drop as Maurine described some of what Jeff, and she too, had been through leading up to this trip. Because of Jeff’s condition, it was only a very short time before they actually flew to Israel that they realized they would be able to be part of this trip.
Their openness in sharing their experiences and philosophy of life set a mood that has lasted well beyond this trip.
I was toughly amazed when Jeff chose to climb up Masada; and even more surprised when he actually reached the top! As someone who has Cystic Fibrosis and is Jeff’s age, I can only admire his courage and dedication.
G-d willing, my wife and I will have the pleasure of joining Jeff and Maurine on another inspiring Aish mission in Israel.
Ed Fleischman

(39)
Chava,
January 13, 2011 9:36 AM

how do you get to LOVE life in such a way that you really LIVE it?

Thank you for this inspiring article!
I would love to hear an answer on the above question.

(38)
Anonymous,
January 12, 2011 9:59 AM

I davened for you

I davened for Ysef Chaim ben Liba Gittel at Kever Rochel yesterday. May Rochel Emanu plead before our father in heaven for your conyinued health and happiness and may you continue to live each day sharing the beauty of life with others and appreciating Hashem's world!

(37)
nina,
January 12, 2011 9:44 AM

to eden#34

I am groping for words here, but it seems to me that as it is God that gives us life and all good things, if he sees that someone uses them as well and joyously and gratefully as your fiance did, He will wish to reward him and give him everlasting life and more good things in the world to come, and would surely let him know at the moment of death. Whereas when you see some people just pass the time until they die, slleping on the sofa in front of the TV, never even going out for a walk to enjoy the beautiful nature God gave us, never being grateful for their lives, never feeling they ought to do something worthwhile and not waste their time-even if they are not bad, how can God reward them? What would they appreciate? If one has no inner resources, how can one receive good? I am so happy to read about someone like your fiance, who used his time so well, and whose memory everyone will bless, and I am sure he will go from life to life and enjoy his new life even more. May you and all his loved ones be comforted.

(36)
Isaac M.,
January 12, 2011 3:30 AM

Kol HaKavod!

Kol HaKavod, Jeff and Maureen. You both are truly an inspiration.

(35)
Elayna Katz,
January 12, 2011 12:13 AM

I marvel daily at the strength. Continue to keep your spirits high, uncle Jeffrey. You are someone that just proves what a good mindset and a positive attitude can accomplish!

(34)
eden daniella lazar,
January 12, 2011 12:04 AM

this sentence (from your article): "The more you love something, the less willing you are to do without it." made me cry the entire day. my fiance, lior peled, passed away 2 years and a half ago. he was only 38 years old. he fought for his life for 6 months. he went through 14 surgeries. after the second surgery, each time the doctors would take him in again, they would tell me that they don't think he will make it. but he did. every single time. he did come out from the surgeries alive. there is nobody i know who enjoyed life and friends more than lior. every shabbath we had 20-30 people in our house. he just loved helping everybody, and making everybody happy. reading your article i kept seeing him fighting with all his might, and trying to hold on to his life. lior really knew how to live. he was never angry, never upset, never irritated by anybody. he loved life and happiness. and everybody loved him. there were always at least 10 people in the hospital waiting to see him. there was always a minyan praying for him. every single day. nobody imagined he would not make it. i never thought i would come back home without him. i was counting on him to make it. he was the strongest man ever. and out of the blue he got a blood clot in his small intestine, and everything changed. reading that sentence made me wonder what was going on in lior's mind when things started to go bad? did he know what was happening? did he know he would have to let go of what he loved so much? this thought kills me.

(33)
Anonymous,
January 11, 2011 8:52 PM

A MIGHTY HARVEST....

Jeff, Just to let you know- that your attitude and mindset helped me today. You have truly produced, despite challenges, a mighty harvest in all of us you have read about you. May haShem continue to bless you, heal you, and may you continue to produce the harvest....stay strong.

(32)
Anonymous,
January 11, 2011 7:58 PM

wow this is so inspiring

I am so happy that I read this today. It really inspired me.

(31)
SusanE,
January 11, 2011 6:44 PM

Ahhh... Drugs and Miracles and Good Men.

Than you Rabbi for the heartwarming story about the Katz family. That is one great picture of you two. You and Mr. Katz seem like lifelong friends catching up in Israel. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The availability of the drug afinitor might bring hope to thousands of others like him who are in late stage cancers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Work, for Mr. Katz and a purposeful life, love and sharing have been a huge part of his life. The drugs help our bodies to live long enough to fight for our lives in those ways. G-d does the rest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rabbi, I think Jeff did need to come to Israel again, and meet the people behind the words on Aish.com. I hope his enthusiasm benefits all in his daily life and touches those he met in Israel. I know it touches me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My thank you to all the people from Aish.com that inspire, and challenge and motivate us to action daily. It is wonderful to add Jeff Katz to that group. Thank you for sharing his story.

(30)
Anonymous,
January 11, 2011 12:56 PM

A HERO INDEED

Thank you so very much for this incredible resume of a remarkable human being. We are truly blessed that he is a fellow Jew. Jeff, our prayers are certainly with you. You have defined what it means to...Stay Strong.

(29)
Anonymous,
January 11, 2011 8:39 AM

Absolutely incredible story about an incredible couple! Thx

Absolutely incredible story about an incredible couple! Thank you so much!

(28)
Beverly Kurtin,
January 11, 2011 12:53 AM

Doctors, feh!

January 1 marked the 16th anniversary of my massive stroke. One doctor seemed to take pleasure in walking into my room and telling me "Dr. Kurtin, you will never talk, walk or work again."
Had I not been like the gentleman with cancer, I would have just laid there and willed myself to die.But I knew better. I kept imaging myself walking, talking and working. Six months to the day an artery burst in my brain, I walked into Microsoft where I worked. Unfortunately, I acquired a condition that negatively affected my voice (spasmodic disyphonia). I had to retire, but the main reason for bringing this up, when a doctor tries to tell you you have x number of months to live FIGHT LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT BECAUSE DOCTORS DO NOT KNOW HW TO SPEAK POSITIVELY.
I do not trust doctors who think they are fortune tellers. I've fired doctors for trying to restrict what I could do.

(27)
Barbara Crane,
January 10, 2011 10:31 PM

An Eishes Chayil and her Yosef Chaim

Thank you Rabbi Salomon for sharing the story of this wonderful couple. My husband and I were among the fortunate people who were with Maureen and Jeff on the recent mission to Israel. We cherish the time we spent with them and continue to be inspired by their story. We pray that they will be blessed with good health and mazel.

(26)
Jodie Katz,
January 10, 2011 8:08 PM

My dad- MY hero

Dear Rabbi Salomon,
I wanted to say thank you for your truly enlightened words about my father. I know everything you said to be true, but it is very refreshing to hear it from someone who barely even knowsmy father- yet- captured him so well.
I happen to be of similar "ilk" like my dad- headstrong, 'quippy' and fiesty. When he was diagnosed 3 years ago, I just knew in my gut that his would not be the same fate as others. I am a woman who believes in "que sera" but also know that without the determinism in our lives telling our spirits and minds to do what we will it to, we are nothing more than lumps of clay. My father is a champion and as ou said , my mother his greatest cheerleader. Her trials have been overwhelming but she never waivers or gives up either. I am a great combination of the best of both of them and now that I have a son, he is beyond lucky to have a great bubbie and ZAIDIE top love him unconditionally.
thank you for your candor and your're honesty. I now see why my parents were so emotional about their time with aish and why it meant the world to them

(25)
Shoshana,
January 10, 2011 3:38 PM

Remarkable and inspiring

Jeff puts most of us to shame. He could be an Aish lecturer...livning by example.

(24)
Jean-Yves LeBrun,
January 10, 2011 1:15 PM

My daughter should read this.

My hat is off to both Maureen and Jeff. Jeff you certainly to be commended for your inner fortitutde; Maureen, you are truly an example to all others out there who not only say they love their husband, but prove it. My prayers are with you daily and may our Lord reach out to both of you.

(23)
beverley,
January 10, 2011 11:09 AM

God bless you both

(22)
Do Lern Hwei,
January 10, 2011 10:31 AM

Keep it up Jeff!

To Jeff and Maureen Katz:
Glad to see that you are faithful to G-dand positive despite Jeff's illness.
May both of you have much happiness together and with your loved ones.

(21)
Joan B.,
January 10, 2011 5:48 AM

Jeff and Maureen are so inspirational for me... they are a living testament to G-d's love within all of us if we choose to celebrate His gifts.. May Hashem bless them both and grant Jeff a miracle..

(20)
Anna-Lee,
January 10, 2011 3:08 AM

A courageous man of faith

What an inspirational story of faith, courage and strength. I have known Maureen since I was a teenager (she is my chosen sister) and Jeff since they have been married. We spend many shabat dinners together. Their home is always full of warmth and love, Maureen busy in the kitchen always cooking nutritional healthy meals for Jeff. The pots are full of wonderful smelling dishes and Maureen's deserts are always a yummy treat. Every Friday evening the candls are lit, the prayers are said. It is always such a joy to spend this special time them. We have lots of good conversation, Jeff keeps himself updated about current events, especially Israel. Sitting at the table, I look at Jeff and say, you are an inspiration, never ever complaining, always with a good word and positive attitude. We all need to look at ourselves and learn from Jeff's positive attitude, and to Maurren who is alwayslovingly by his side to supporrt him. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life and to learn from this loving couple to keep the faith, be strong and give each other strength and courage.
Thank you for writing this article on Jeff. I know that it will touch many hearts and make a difference in the lives of people who read it.
Anna-Lee Chiprout
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

(19)
Jean Monson,
January 10, 2011 2:22 AM

What a wonderful resume!

Mazel Tov Jeff and Maureen--may you have many many more healthy years together. Love Mom

(18)
Bassy,
January 10, 2011 2:10 AM

Love from Ottawa

Dear Jeff & Maureen, you continue to inspire us every day, we love you dearly, May Hashem shower blessings, miracles, and good health upon you! we are so blessed to know people like you! Your dear friends from Chabad of Centrepointe, Ottawa

(17)
Anonymous,
January 10, 2011 12:46 AM

Inspiring

What a beautiful and remarkable person, and wonderful couple. My prayers are with them.

(16)
Adrienne & Les Lawrence,
January 10, 2011 12:42 AM

the remarkable Katzs

We had the great pleasure of being witnesses to the events that Rabbi Salomon describes, and the opportunity to spend time with these two remarkable people. We will forever be changed by them, and we thank the Rabbi for helping us to put words around this wonderful experience.
Jeff's fierce passion for life and Maureen's incredibly nurturing personality will always be a powerful memory for us.

(15)
Anonymous,
January 10, 2011 12:08 AM

Excellent!!

Thank you Rabbi Salomon for the incredible story of an incredible man. Thank you so much for giving us his Hebrew name...it would be only an honor to pray for him.

(14)
Diane Gauthier,
January 9, 2011 11:32 PM

Jeff You Are A Power OF Example to all!

I have known You and Maureen for a long time now and I am so proud to know you and your family.Jeff you are and example of the faith and courage you have with the help of good friends family and of course God.
From the first time I met the both of You I was so comfortable from the begining.Your both so close to my heart forever.Love you Maureen and Jeff xo

(13)
Fran Ross,
January 9, 2011 10:50 PM

A beautiful story about a beautiful person. We have known Jeff for over 30 years and are continually astounded at his zest for life and his interest in everything around him. He is a people person and you can't help but love him.

(12)
Maureen the wife,
January 9, 2011 10:16 PM

YAACOV SALOMON-YOU ARE MY HERO FOREVER AND EVER

What a tremendous article from a tremendous Rabbi-scholar and mentsch of the highest order.Thank you aish.com for bringing us to Israel and for bringing Yaacov Salomon into our lives.
Jeff is my rock for sure.

(11)
Rifka,
January 9, 2011 8:19 PM

What a story!

Jeff Katz's story and "love of life" brought tears to my eyes.
My thoughts and prayers are with him.

(10)
Leslie Duverge,
January 9, 2011 6:44 PM

Amazing thinker

Wow Rabbi Salomon, what a beautiful way to write this amazing story to which I certainly can attest!! What a way to make a difference in which your article and Jeff's implicit belief in the power of God, lead to positive thoughts of faith, hope and the highest degree of optimism. I will continue to keep Jeff and Maureen in my prayers. Thank so very much for this interesting life guidance. May Hashem bless you and yours.

(9)
Debbie R.,
January 9, 2011 6:31 PM

how inspiring!

Thank you for sharing that amazing story. I have added Jeff's name to my tefilot for cholim....Jeff teaches us a lesson we should remember EVERY moment...and that is...as you so said so beautifully..you said that even before he got ill... "he embraced every single day as a personal invitation to a royal banquet. He experienced every interaction as an opportunity to learn, to perfect – to grow, to reflect." That is what we should remember to do every moment that we are privileged to be alive!!!

(8)
Freyda,
January 9, 2011 6:14 PM

What an inspiration!

Kol hakavod to Jeff and Maureen. May he be blessed with a refua shaleima be karov, and many more years of good health and happiness with his family.

(7)
brent,
January 9, 2011 5:55 PM

mishabarach

I have entered this mishabarach into our minyanim and maybe Hashem will here our words and perform another miracle

(6)
ruth housman,
January 9, 2011 4:16 PM

"let me be your hero"

I too, have a new hero, this morning, of the fresh purity of overnight snow, here on the South Shore. My new hero is Jeff Katz. There is a beautiful song with this, as in the summary line, as refrain. I think of the beauty of this song, and the beauty, of Jeff's life.
We wonder about the burden of sorrow in our lives, meaning what's so precious, in being here, in simply being alive to all this beauty, seems to come into sharp relief when individually and collectively we are faced with such challenges. Maybe the relief is also in recognizing we're all in this together, and that Jeff's mountain is ours, too. I think of Sinai, of G_d and Moses on the mountain. Of the mountains we all climb. The "peer experience" and I think some experiences, such as Jeff's are without peer, meaning, the experience of knowing someone who is a climber of all mountains, is humbling, and so much, about LOVE itself.

(5)
Anonymous,
January 9, 2011 3:48 PM

G_d works in strange ways

It's somewhat paradoxical that the drug which is helping Jeff was developed by the same Swiss Pharmaceutical firm that sold toxic gasses to the Nazis

(4)
Chaya,
January 9, 2011 3:24 PM

What an inspirational story!

Jeff's story has taught us never to give up! I am about to celebrate my 1st anniversary of being cancer free & hope that I never have to face a recurrence. But if I do, I hope that I am as courageous as Jeff is. I've added his name to my t'hillim refuah shleima list recited every day.

(3)
MS,
January 9, 2011 3:10 PM

What a chizuk!!!

Reb Yaakov, Thank you for sharing this amazing story.
Jeff, that you for giving me such inspiration.
May Hashem give you many years of happiness and good health with Maureen and the children.
Kol tuv,
Mykey

(2)
Anonymous,
January 9, 2011 2:48 PM

Beautiful. Well done. This article has heart and is extremely well written.

(1)
Iris Moskovitz,
January 9, 2011 2:35 PM

What an amazing man.

May Hashem continue to give Jeff the strength and determination to live each day to the fullest. What an amazing individual, to give us inspiration to go on with our own challenges in life. I will definitely pray for Jeff.

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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